Boats

Sea Hunter Tournament 45

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the world of sportfishing boats has been experiencing a bit of a sea change lately. Sure, big-ol’ battlewagons are still hard to beat for comfort, fishability, and a certain “wow” factor at the docks. But for the younger crowd, it seems that the fast, rugged center console has become the boat of choice. You can get out to the fishing grounds quickly, fish all you want, and then hope somebody’s got a place for you to crash when you get back to land. That’s why the Sea Hunter Tournament 45 is poised to do very well—she’s got everything you need, and nothing you don’t want. With tons of fishable square footage forward and aft of her console, you won’t have to squeeze by other guests when walking a fish around the boat. She’s also got plenty of stowage, and a cooler up front. She’s even got a cabin, complete with a queen-size berth, sink, head, TV, and microwave. (So maybe you could crash on this boat after all.)

Builder: Sea Hunter

Model: Tournament 45

2013

LOA: 45'4"

Beam: 12'0"

Draft: 2’6”

Standard Power: 4/350-hp Yamahas

Price: $600,000

Cruise speed: 35 Knots

Top speed: 56 Knots

The Tournament 45 has a deep-V hull with 60 degrees of deadrise at the bow and 24.5 at the transom, as well as oversized chines that lend her a smooth, dry ride, even at top speeds flirting with 57 knots, and a cruise of 35. Those are big-time numbers, but they’re really no surprise, considering the 45 can be fitted out with quad 350-horsepower Yamahas. And with engines like that hanging off a 45-foot center console? It won’t be long before everybody is forced to sit up and take notice.